Chrysanthemum plant named &#39; Chanizet &#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum cultivar is provided that is the result of a controlled breeding program. Attractive ball-shaped bronze blossoms are formed in profusion. Such blossoms commonly are approximately 12 to 13 cm in diameter when fully open. The growth habit is low and compact and well-branched and yields a generally uniform and spherical overall plant. The foliage is glossy dark green and contrasts well with the bronze blossom coloration, and the stems are extremely stiff. The plant grows well in pots and is well suited for use as an attractive potted gift plant.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

[0001]Dendranthema grandifloria/decorative Pot Mum

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0002] cv. ‘Chanizet’

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, andhereafter is referred to by the cultivar name ‘Chanizet’.

[0004] The new cultivar of the present invention was created at Nuaillé,France during the course of a controlled breeding program. The seedsresulting from the cross were sown and small plants were obtained whichwere physically and biologically different from each other. Selectivestudy resulted in the identification of a single plant of the newvariety of the present invention.

[0005] It was found that the new Chrysanthemum cultivar of the presentinvention displays:

[0006] (a) a low compact, well-branched, and generally spherical growthhabit,

[0007] (b) forms attractive long-lasting decorative ball-shaped bronzeblossoms,

[0008] (c) forms extremely stiff stems,

[0009] (d) forms attractive dark green leaves having shiny uppersurfaces, and

[0010] (e) an ability to grow well in pots to provide an attractivepotted gift plant.

[0011] The new cultivar can be grown singly or in clumps in pots. Italso can be grown in the landscape. The bronze blossoms contract nicelywith the shiny dark green foliage. The blossoms have been found to belong lasting and commonly last approximately four weeks on the plant.Pinching is helpful to further enhance branching; however, such pinchingis not necessary since the plant already is naturally self-branching.

[0012] The new ‘Chanizet’ cultivar can be readily distinguished from the‘Chamidi’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. ______, filed concurrentlyherewith) in view of the different blossom coloration. The blossoms ofthe ‘Chanizet’ cultivar of the present invention are a bronze whilethose of the ‘Chamidi’ parent cultivar are bright yellow in coloration.The ‘Chamidi’ cultivar is a mutation of the ‘Chanizet’ cultivar.

[0013] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by the use of cuttingsas performed at Nuaillé, France, in a controlled environment hasdemonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and are retained through successive generations of asexualpropagation.

[0014] ‘Chanizet’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light, day length, contact with pesticides and/or subjection to grownregulation treatments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0015] The accompanying FIG. 1 depicts a typical bronze blossom andfoliage of the new ‘Chanizet’ cultivar while growing in a pot in agreenhouse at Nuaillé, France. The attractive ball-shaped bronze blossomconfiguration is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The plants described were grown in pots in a greenhouse atNuaillé, France. No growth regulation was used. The growing conditionsapproximate those commonly utilized for the commercial production ofdecorative pot mums.

[0017] General Appearance:

[0018] Short and stocky with a generally spherical growth habit.

[0019] Foliage:

[0020] Attractive dark green. The upper surfaces of the leaves are shinyand tend to glisten in the sunlight.

[0021] Stems:

[0022] Extremely stiff.

[0023] Flowers:

[0024] Possess a decorative bronze coloration. The configuration isgenerally ball-shaped and the diameter is approximately 12 to 13 cm whenfully expanded.

[0025] Flower Duration:

[0026] Very long lasting with the blossoms commonly lastingapproximately four weeks on the plant.

[0027] Response Time:

[0028] The time between the beginning of the short day period and theflowering date at normal temperature and light intensity isapproximately ten weeks.

[0029] Usage:

[0030] Decorative pot mum.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant thatdisplays: (a) a low compact, well-branched, and generally sphericalgrowth habit, (b) forms attractive long-lasting decorative ball-shapedbronze blossoms, (c) forms extremely stiff stems, (d) forms attractivedark green leaves having shiny upper surfaces, and (e) an ability togrow well in pots to provide an attractive potted gift plant;substantially as illustrated and described.